Girl, 8, shot; mom arrested

STOCKTON - An 8-year-old girl in north Stockton suffered a major wound to her foot Thursday afternoon as a result of the apparently accidental discharge of a shotgun, police said Friday.

The Record

STOCKTON - An 8-year-old girl in north Stockton suffered a major wound to her foot Thursday afternoon as a result of the apparently accidental discharge of a shotgun, police said Friday.

The girl's mother, 32-year-old Aurora Almaraz, was arrested on child endangerment and weapons charges, according to police.

Officers responded about 12:30 p.m. Thursday to the report of a shooting in the 6800 block of Allegheny Place. When officers arrived, the victim was no longer there, having been taken to a local hospital by a private party, police said.

The investigation by police revealed that the girl had been shot. Almaraz was questioned and gave conflicting statements and refused to allow officers into her home to process the scene and collect evidence, police said.

Detectives got a search warrant and reported finding a sawed-off shotgun and a handgun. Police said they are continuing to investigate the shooting and also have gained the involvement of Child Protective Services. Almaraz is in custody at the San Joaquin County Jail, with bail set at $700,000.